Table 6.

Summary of recommendations for medication safety monitoring

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs

Complete blood cell count, liver enzymes, serum creatinine

Prior to or soon after initiation of routine use

Repeat approximately twice yearly for chronic daily use

Repeat approximately once yearly for routine use (3---4 days per week)

Methotrexate

Complete blood cell count, liver enzymes, serum creatinine

Prior to initiation

Approximately 1 month after initiation

Approximately 1---2 months after increase in dose

Repeat approximately every 3---4 months if prior results normal and dose stable

Tumor necrosis factor α inhibitors

Complete blood cell count, liver enzymes, serum creatinine

Prior to initiation

Repeat approximately every 3---6 months

Tuberculosis screening

Prior to initiation

Repeat approximately once yearly